Automotive Lighting Thermal Control Using Sensor-Based Temperature Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive lighting devices with solid-state light sources face overheating issues due to inefficient temperature management, leading to performance degradation and the need for oversized components to maintain acceptable operation values.
Innovation Solution
A method using a control unit trained with sensor data and machine learning algorithms to estimate external lighting device temperature, allowing for intelligent control of operation parameters such as current, heat dissipation, and cooling elements without relying on direct temperature sensors, thereby optimizing thermal behavior and avoiding excessive oversizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If temperature control is carried out by sensing internal temperature and derating, then operation temperature is controlled, but performance must be heavily oversized to maintain acceptable values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external temperature sensor as an intermediary to measure ambient temperature instead of directly measuring internal light source temperature. This external measurement serves as a mediator to infer internal thermal conditions, allowing the system to control operation temperature without directly monitoring the light source, thereby avoiding the need for heavy oversizing while maintaining acceptable operating values.
2Temperature
If current value is decreased to reduce operation temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but output flux and performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors external temperature and adjusts the current value fed to the light source accordingly. The control unit receives external temperature data, processes it through a transfer function to determine the appropriate current adjustment, and applies this feedback control to maintain optimal operation temperature while maximizing output flux. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for excessive derating.
3Measurement precision
If external temperature sensing is used instead of internal temperature sensing, then thermal management becomes more accurate, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the internal light source environment and places it in the external ambient environment. By taking out the temperature sensor from the harsh internal thermal field and positioning it externally, the system achieves accurate thermal management while simplifying the internal device structure. The external sensor operates in a more favorable environment, reducing measurement complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention provides a method for operating an automotive lighting device (1) comprising at least one solid-state light source (2). This method comprises the step of providing a plurality of sensors (4), configured to provide some device data, provide a control unit (3) configured to receive and process the device data, generate an estimated condition of the lighting device based on the device data and controlling an operation parameter of the automotive lighting device (1) using the estimated condition. The invention also provides a data processing element and a computer program to carry out this method and an automotive lighting device comprising a control unit (3) which carries out this method.